Environmental Studies (PhD)

Department Website

Program Description

Humans, animals, and the environment are facing a multitude of planetary crises – from climate change and biodiversity loss, to air, soil, and water pollution. We urgently need to better understand their drivers and impacts, and the range of potential responses for mitigation and adaptation. We need to tackle these problems in a holistic, integrative, and transdisciplinary manner, aiming to provide actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. This vision is at the heart of the mission of NYU’s Department of Environmental Studies and is a fundamental aspect of our new PhD program.

At the core of the program are three research themes that encompass faculty research and form the basis of the PhD program: Food and Land Use Systems, Ecological Systems, and Governance Systems. Across these themes is a deep integration of human, animal, and environmental issues, reflecting our expansive and innovative focus on both Animal Studies and Environmental Studies.

The PhD program foresees its alumni following a range of career paths – from academia to government, civil society to the private sector. The PhD program will prepare graduates for whichever paths they choose.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See Environmental Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program. 

Program Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
ENVST-GA 1000	Foundations of Environmental Studies: Natural Science Perspectives	4
ENVST-GA 1010	Foundations of Environmental Studies: Social Sciences and Humanities	4
ENVST-GA 1020	Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Design	4
ENVST-GA 1030	Research Colloquium in Environmental Studies 1	2
ENVST-GA 1040	Research Colloquium in Environmental Studies II	2
ENVST-GA 1050	Graduate Seminar: Research and Writing 1	4
ENVST-GA 1060	Graduate Seminar: Research and Writing II	4
Major Electives
Select 20 major elective credits, by advisement		20
General Electives
Select 28 general elective credits, by advisement		28
Total Credits		72

Additional Program Requirements

Qualifying Exams

PhD students will take their qualifying exam(s) in their chosen specialization(s) by the end of their fifth semester or when their faculty adviser/advising committee believes they are ready.

Prospectus

PhD students will write and defend their prospectus by the end of their sixth semester.  It should include a clear statement of their research question(s) or problem(s), a review of relevant  past literature, a discussion of how the research will contribute to the literature and society more  broadly, and a detailed discussion of the data and methods that will be used to answer the question.

Prospectus and Final Dissertation Committees

According to NYU Faculty of Arts and Science  (FAS) rules, the final dissertation committee must have at least five members, including three FAS  faculty. Environmental Studies will mandate that at least two of the FAS members have to be ES  faculty (which can include faculty from other NYU campuses). A student’s prospectus committee  will be allowed a minimum of three and a maximum of five members. ES faculty will have to  constitute a majority of the prospectus committee (i.e. a committee of three will have a minimum of two ES faculty, and committees of four and five will have a minimum of three ES faculty). A  maximum of two faculty members from an external institution can serve on both the prospectus  and dissertation committees. Students are not obligated to have the same committee members for  their prospectus defense and their final dissertation defense. The PhD program director should be  notified of the final committee composition at least 90 days before the prospectus and final  dissertation defense.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
ENVST-GA 1000	Foundations of Environmental Studies: Natural Science Perspectives	4
ENVST-GA 1020	Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Design	4
Elective		4
	Credits	12
2nd Semester/Term
ENVST-GA 1010	Foundations of Environmental Studies: Social Sciences and Humanities	4
ENVST-GA 1030	Research Colloquium in Environmental Studies 1	2
Elective		4
	Credits	10
3rd Semester/Term
ENVST-GA 1040	Research Colloquium in Environmental Studies II	2
ENVST-GA 1050	Graduate Seminar: Research and Writing 1	4
Elective		4
	Credits	10
4th Semester/Term
ENVST-GA 1060	Graduate Seminar: Research and Writing II	4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	12
5th Semester/Term
Doctoral Research Credit		4
Doctoral Research Credit		4
	Credits	8
6th Semester/Term
Doctoral Research Credit		4
Doctoral Research Credit		4
Doctoral Research Credit		4
	Credits	12
7th Semester/Term
Doctoral Research Credit		4
Doctoral Research Credit		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	72

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GA 4747) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will:

1. Display fluency in core texts and scholarly literature, contemporary theory, and key debates in Environmental Studies.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of research and methodological approaches relevant to Environmental Studies, and demonstrate mastery of at least one specific methodology through original research. 
3. Analyze and synthesize scholarship in a range of disciplines related to Environmental  Studies and understand the ways in which these disciplinary perspectives can be integrated  and transformed through systems-focused, interdisciplinary, and problem-oriented scholarship. 
4. Produce original research on topics in Environmental Studies. 
5. Show proficiency in writing and communicating in different forms (scientific articles,  presentations, grant proposals…) and to different audiences (the public, governments, civil  society, community groups…).

Policies

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page. 

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.